- Set up a Sleep Schedule– Try to set up a sleep schedule and stick to it. This will prevent your baby from becoming overtired and prevent them from fussing for hours in the evening.
- Swaddling – Swaddling your baby can help your baby feel secure and safe.
- Movement – Most babies love to be held while being danced with, bounced, walked around with, or swaying. Hold your baby close to your chest and try one of these movement ideas.
- Change of Scenery – Sometimes changing the scenery will calm your baby down. So try going outside, into a different room, take them for a car ride, or try having someone else hold the baby for a little bit.
- Gas – Gas can be very painful for a baby and they might need help working the gas out. You can try using gas drops, gripe water, rub their tummy in a circular motion, try burping your baby, or using a bicycle motion with their legs. Try one or a combination of these techniques to help your baby relieve gas pressure.
- Dietary Changes – If your are breastfeeding, change your diet and see if you see a change in your baby’s mood. Eating beans, gassy vegetables, milk, spicy foods, or caffeine may be irritating your baby’s tummy. After eliminating these foods, give your baby a few days to determine if your dietary changes are helping.
- Check Your Baby’s Temperature – If your baby is constantly crying, check your child’s temperature to rule out a possible problem. Learn when you should worry about your infant’s temperature.
- Bath – Try giving your baby a bath. Sometimes the warm water will help relax and calm your baby down.
- Infant Massage – Give your baby a massage using baby lotion. Doing this after a bath can help relax your baby. Massage also has other benefits as well.
- Look for Hair – Many people don’t think to check their baby’s fingers, toes, and if you have a little boy check his penis. Sometimes a piece of mama’s hair will get wrapped around your baby’s fingers, toes, and little boy parts causing their circulation to be cut off or it causes pain.
- Take Baby To the Doctor – If none of these tips and techniques help calm your baby down, take your child to the doctor to rule out possible medical condition that would cause your baby to cry uncontrollably for hours on end.
How did you handle your baby’s witching hour?
Comments
4 responses to “Tips and Suggestions to Overcome Witching Hour”
This is a home remedy the women in my family have used on their babies for centuries and they all swear it works miracles. If your baby is going through the “witching hour” simply dissolve 1 strand of Saffron (just enough to turn the water a pale yellow) and 1 tbsp of sugar in 1/4 cup of warm water. Be sure to test the water to make sure it is at room temperature before giving your baby a pacifier dipped in this mixture. Do this a couple times and your baby is GUARANTEED to fall asleep.
Thank you for the suggestion Paulin. Parents before trying this home remedy, please check with your child’s pediatrician, doctor, or health care professional before using this technique.
One more thing to add…sometimes babies can be over-stimulated. They my want to be laid down and left alone. Try laying them down on a blanket in the floor or maybe they would like to be laid in their bed. Just because baby wanted to be rocked last night, he/she may not want to be rocked tonight.
Yes, some babies are over-stimulated during the course of the day. Thank you for the suggestion. 🙂